Damp-proof firm ‘conned pensioners’

Lancashire Trading Standards officers launched a joint investigation with police after they received more than 70 complaints about work carried out by the Home Improvement Advisory Service (HIAS).

They said complaints came mostly from elderly home owners who had been cold-called' and had paid between £500 and £3,000 for damp-proofing which in most cases was ineffective or just not needed.

Trading Standards surveyors who visited homes where damp-proofing had supposedly been carried out found that in some cases water had been pumped into the walls.

Mandy Maxim, Lancashire Trading Standards principal officer, said: "We had 30 complaints about this company just from Lancashire and the remainder from the North West.

"We fear these complaints are the tip of the iceberg. It seems this company targeted the elderly as a deliberate plan.

"In some cases they turned up within an hour of calling and once work had been started people were reluctant to change their minds.

"If someone is cold-called the law requires that a seven day cooling-off period is observed before work begins but these pensioners were never given this opportunity."

Detective Inspector Ian Critchley said the outfit had operated under various names and warned that parts of the group could still be operating.

He said: "We made a number of arrests in the Clitheroe area and have searched a number of properties in that vicinity.

"At present four people have been arrested."

Ms Maxim said: "We urge the public not to deal with cold callers and instead get recommendations from an approved traders scheme.

"This company asked clients lots of questions over the phone so they could work out who would be home and the age of the customer etc. We advise everyone to be wary of giving personal information out."

No-one from HIAS could be contacted to comment.

l Anyone who may have been targeted can call Consumer Direct on 0845 4040506.